After the video of an Arizona thief stealing an open carrier’s firearm hit the ‘net, all the armed open carry naysayers came out of the woodwork to say nay. Their crusade plays straight into the hands of the antis — this is why you can’t have nice things. Equally, these anti-open/concealed carry-only gun owners are using the same sorts of “arguments” favored by gun control advocates . . .
1. They’re holding-up a single incident as “proof” that an idea is bad/dangerous
In six years of monitoring the interwebz, I’ve come across two open carry gun grabs. This case and one where thugs beat-up an open carrier and stole his gun. The Copper State McDonald’s gun grab is certainly a cautionary tale, but it’s hardly indicative of a widespread problem.
2. They’re ignoring the positive side of a gun-related practice
For every time a thief who grabbed a gun out of someone’s holster, how many times did an open carry American prevent a crime? How many times did an armed American openly carrying access his or her firearm more quickly than if they’d had to remove a cover garment, and what impact did that have on the outcome? We don’t know, but there are tactical advantages to open carry.
3. They’re ignoring the bigger picture
Open carry helps normalize firearms for gun muggles. Normalization protects gun rights. Protected gun rights enable the exercise of Americans’ natural, civil and Constitutional right to keep and bear arms — any way they choose. (Open carriers to concealed carriers: you’re welcome.)
This video was produced by the United States Concealed Carry Association. So it’s no surprise their rep excoriates open carry — although I am bemused that they’re hawking a T-shirt proclaiming its wearer as armed; an even more prominent form of open carry.
Kevin Michalowski would have been better advised to lay out the pros and cons of open carry and recommend retention holsters for those who don’t hide their gat. The same kind of holsters police use to prevent gun grabs. Or would Kevin have the police carry concealed as well? No, of course not. That would be silly.